Day Fifteen --A Rough Day

Today was a rough day in many ways. I (Jen) had to come home and care for my children, while Mom (cheryl) stayed behind to continue to care for Uncle Dick. It was difficult to leave them both, and I know it was difficult for mom to head to the hospital alone.


When she arrived at the hospital, it was obvious it was going to be a rough day all around. The physical therapist came in and wanted to work with Uncle Dick on his exercises. Although he squeezed her hand, he just barely lifted his leg. Last Friday, he had lifted his legs, pushed his feet, etc for his exercises. He just wasn't up to it today, and he couldnt stay awake. They tried to get him up into a chair, but he couldnt wake up and stay awake for that either. He did manage to get to a sitting position on the end of the bed, but that was as far as they got. They ended up adjusting his bed so he was "sitting" in bed, but he didnt make it to the chair.


Please understand that when we tell you he is "up in a chair," he didnt get up out of bed and walk over to the chair without help. This is a very involved process that involves at least a couple of people. It is still progress, but we have a long way to go.


Another rough point of the day was that Uncle Dick developed a fever. At this point, the medical team is not sure where the fever is coming from/why he has it. He was sweating profusely most of the day and was uncomfortable. However, when Mom went back to the hospital tonight, she said he seemed better. The fever was down some, and she was putting a cool cloth on his head...which was doing wonders for calming both of them down and helping them relax.


As far as communication, he did squeeze hands and open his eyes a little today. Mom said that when she returned to his room this evening after shift change, he immediately opened his eyes and reached for her, even before she had spoken to him. She took his hand, and he closed his eyes again, knowing he was in good hands with his little sister.


A positive step: they took him off the respirator for one hour tonight. Amy and Aunt Judi saw this last week, but it hadnt happened since Friday I believe. They disconnect the tubes from the trach in his throat, hooking up "humidified oxygen" for him to breathe. They watch him for an hour, checking his stats often; after an hour, they will hook him back up to the respirator so that he can rest comfortably for the night and not get too worn out.


One little step at a time.....one of his medical team members reminded us that he is going to have good days, "nothing happened" days, and bad days. He warned us not to get too caught up in one day -- a good day doesnt mean he is magically better and a bad day doesnt mean he wont get better. It is a journey, a long-distance event, and he will be "racing" at a turtle's pace. But, just like the fable of the tortoise and the hare, slow and steady wins the race. Someone sent a card yesterday with a bandaged turtle on it -- the inside read something like "It's not the speed, it's the recovery." Just as the angel is our symbol for Aunt Marianne and a found penny is our symbol for Uncle Denny, I believe the turtle is now our symbol for Uncle Dick. It wont be easy, it wont be fast, but I know and believe with all of my heart that he will get there. One day at a time...one step at a time....one breath at a time.....let's all try and pray for him at each step of the journey....for patience, for perserverance, and for peace.